A Fool & His Money (Part 3)
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
Parts 1 and 2 have brought us to this stage of my better-bank-deal quest.
Thank you so much for reading and responding!
Today the plot finally crystallises.
Bert
As Sheryl the Specialised Case Manager presaged, Bert the Bank Manager and I had ‘fruitful conversations’ (via email).
Alas, the fruit was small, hard and [...]
A Fool & His Money (Part 1)
You’ll also find this post at The Pulse
I’ve been reading with increasing frequency that it’s a fabulous time to negotiate a better interest rate with your lender.
In a world first, Choice has gone one step further by grouping borrowers for a better deal.
Their target was 1000 people prepared to look at switching loans.
In the first [...]
Paper Bag Bandits
Did you hear about the rather lucrative printer cartridge deal?
The highlight for me was the public servant who:
‘… bought enough black toner cartridges to supply the government department for 40 years — despite toner cartridges expiring after two years.’
As my taxes paid this person’s salary, I felt encouraged by her initiative and commitment.
Then I wondered [...]
Sour Cream & the Metagame
We can reasonably describe business as a game.
There are certainly winners and losers.
Gaming is an important analogy.
These days, it’s not enough to merely play the game.
Because chances are, your customers are playing the metagame.
What’s the Metagame?
The metagame comprises all out-of-game elements that affect in-game decisions.
You’re playing the metagame if:
Having learnt from past poker nights [...]
Should We Tell Them about Nanna?
Disease is visiting my family.
I’ll spare you the details; it’s life and we all must live it.
The question is, do our private lives concern our customers?
Family Feud
Fonnie and I differ on so little, it’s significant when we retain opposing views.
Hers is that family affairs have nothing to do with business.
Mine is that clients appreciate candour [...]
Interesting Conflicts
Have you been tempted?
These days, ‘conflict of interest’ seems to mean:
If it’s in my interest, there’s no conflict!
I don’t quite see it that way.
But I have.
Old School
When working for an ad agency, I was surprised to find myself writing for two BIG FIVE* clients in the same week.
I strive to do my best. So unless [...]
What Lovely Teeth You Have!
Do you sing your clients’ praises?
We know it’s vital to make customers feel good.
But how often do we make them feel fantastic – like life is beautiful and the world is a happy, marvellous place?
Too seldom, I’ll wager.
Dear God
I don’t pray often, but once a year I always do.
It’s when I’m stiff with fear [...]
Special Treatment
Some eBayers are less equal than others.
I’m pretty miffed at eBay.
Yet again, a firm has punished my loyalty by excluding me from special deals offered to new customers.
We’ve seen this time and time again.
My latest experience teaches the value of:
Avoiding sudden moves.
Keeping customers informed.
Ensuring your definition of ‘good’ matches theirs.
We’ll also see how ‘online [...]
Vouchsafe
Remember our voucher discussion?
There’s been a development.
Booked
Last month this book hit my letterbox. The accompanying letter said:
Hey Paul, ever wished you had all the answers?
I wish this all the time, so I scanned the book. The production quality was high and the writing rather good. Ninety shiny pages addressed 105 questions, including:
Q13 What does an [...]
Making Amends
How should we say sorry?
There was trouble with Skype the other week.
So much that they sent a sorry email.
I was impressed to see it included a voucher for free talk time.
Until I redeemed it and saw how much.
My excitement turned to dismay and my positive view of Skype took a hit.
So, how should we [...]
